Last night’s NBA Draft was a step in the right direction for the league. Many have criticized the NBA for its imbalance of power during the last three years, filled with Cavaliers vs. Warriors championship series. The strength of the 2017 draft class, along with the inevitable cycle of talent in the league, and the two-team domination won’t last longer than the next three years.
The game changers
Markelle Fultz: The Washington guard is another No. 1 pick on the 76ers’ roster. The young talent in Philadelphia is rising at the right time and if the core stays healthy, they’ll be the next dominant team in the Eastern Conference.
Lonzo Ball: The UCLA guard is the definition of an impactful player. In high school, Ball finished his senior season with an undefeated record, a national title and a No. 4 national player ranking. In his lone season at UCLA, he was a finalist for National Player of the Year and led the Bruins to a Sweet 16 appearance a year after the team went 15-17. With the arrival of Brook Lopez and the inevitable future acquisition of Paul George, the Lakers’ future looks bright. So bright, that LeBron James might actually sign with them in 2018 after all.
Malik Monk: The electric Kentucky guard is paired up with All-Star Kemba Walker in a backcourt that could be the Eastern Conference’s Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The Hornets continued its trend of drafting college standouts, picking up Monk and Florida State’s Dwayne Bacon. This week’s additions of Monk and Dwight Howard should push the Hornets back into the playoffs in an Eastern Conference opening up a little with Atlanta getting rid of Howard and presumably Paul Millsap as well.
Semi Ojeleye: The only concern about this SMU Mustang is the team he’s headed to. The Celtics are loaded on the wings, with Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown and now No. 3 pick Jayson Tatum. Ojeleye’s minutes are automatically limited in his situation, but he’s a big, physical forward at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds. Last season at SMU, he averaged 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, which certainly isn’t bad for a guy who’s still available at pick 37.
Most likely to be busts
D.J. Wilson: The No. 17 pick averaged 11 points and 5.3 rebounds last season at Michigan. However, Wilson has a lanky 6-foot-10 frame and he can fill into today’s ideal NBA player model of being able to do everything. The Bucks are a team that specializes and builds around those type of players, so maybe some of the team’s veterans can lead him in the right direction, but he didn’t show enough in three seasons of college to convince anyone that he’s a sure thing.
Harry Giles: Giles is still living off his high school hype. The 19-year-old averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds last season for Duke, dealing with two bad knees. Just last season Denzel Valentine, a standout player who had a known history of battling knee issues, was selected in the lottery and he finished his rookie season with the Bulls averaging 5.1 points and 1.1 rebounds a game. His health issues are just too much to get past for the 2016 No.1 high school prospect.
